Kokatahi Explained

Kokatahi
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:New Zealand
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:West Coast
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Westland District
Seat Type:Electorates
Timezone:NZST
Utc Offset:+12
Timezone Dst:NZDT
Utc Offset Dst:+13
Postal Code Type:Postcode
Postal Code:7881
Area Code:03
Seat:West Coast-Tasman
Te Tai Tonga
Pushpin Map:New Zealand West Coast
Coordinates:-42.8328°N 171.0333°W
Blank Name:Local iwi
Blank Info:Ngāi Tahu

Kokatahi is a locality on the West Coast of New Zealand. Hokitika is about 15 km to the north-west. The Kokatahi River flows through the area and into the Hokitika River to the north-west.[1] [2]

Farming in the area started in the late 1860s to produce oats and vegetables to feed the gold rush miners and their horses. Dairy farming makes up a large percentage of the farms in and around Kokatahi.[3] In 1900-1901 a dairy factory opened at Kokatahi.[4]

Education

Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of as of

Police shootings

On 4 October 1941, Stanley Graham went on a shooting rampage after a neighbour of Graham's, Anker Madsen, complained to Constable Edward Best, stationed in nearby Kaniere, that Graham was accusing him of poisoning his cattle. Best decided not to respond in order to give Graham time to calm himself.

Best later returned with additional policeman and tried to disarm Graham. In the process Graham then shot and killed four policeman.

Graham was later shot dead on 17 October 1941 after a massive police manhunt led by Commissioner of Police Denis Cummings.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Reed New Zealand Atlas. 2004. 0-7900-0952-8. Peter Dowling . Reed Books. map 68.
  2. Book: The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. 2005. 1-877333-20-4. Roger Smith, GeographX. Robbie Burton. map 156.
  3. Book: Rogers, Anna. Illustrated History of the West Coast. 2005. 0-7900-1022-4. 61. Reed Books .
  4. Rogers, p 100